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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. AxMOKBNzIE. Tricycle.

No'. 242,212. Patented May 31,1881.

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(N Model.) 5 sheets-sheen 2.

J. A. MGKENZIE.

Tricycle.

No. 242,212. Patented May/31,1881.

WITNEssEs K' Y i' INVENTOR @www (m0/www. www,

, ATTORNEY (No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 3.

J. A. MGKENZIE. Tricycle.

No. 242,212. Patented May 31,1881.

INVENTOR @www ATTORNEY NA PETERS. Mmmm, waduingim. D. C.

` (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. A. McKENZIE. Tricycle.

No. 242,*212. Patented May 31,1881;

WITNESSES INVENTOR f/ 9' GMM/Uu) hk( luna ATTORNEY y 4UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. MOKENZIE, F GALSBURG, ASSIGNOR rIO ALBERT H. OVERMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,212, dated May 81, 1881.

Application lefl April 6, 1881.

To ail whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES A. McKENzrE, of Galesburg, in the county of KnoxA and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tricycles 5 and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had 1o to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in tricycles, the object being to provide atricycle of such construction that the weight ot' the rider shall be disposed in such a manner relative to the large forward wheels and rear guiding-wheel that the minimum resistance and friction will be imposedV upon the propelling devices, whereby the vehicle shall be adapted to be driven at a high rate ofspeed with a slight expenditure of power.

A further object of my invention is to arrange the riders seat and propelling mechanism in such a manner that the powermay be applied 2 5 in a direct and natural manner, without offering any obstruction to the rider in mounting or dismounting from the vehicle.

A further object of my invention is to provide simple and eiiicient means for guiding and braking the vehicle.

With these several ends in view, my invention consists in certain features ofy construction and arrangement of parts in a tricycl'e, as will hereinafter be described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,Figurelisa View in perspective of my improvement in tri cycles. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the pawlandratchet propelling devices, and Fig. 5 is a detached view of therearsteeringwheel.

A A represent the large rforward wheels, which may be of any approvedconstruction,but those illustrated in the drawings are considered as being well adapted for the desired purpose.- These wheels areeach composed of an axlebox, A2, upon the opposite ends of which are rigidly secured orformed integral therewith the hub-sections a a', into which are 5o inserted and secured the inner ends ot' the in- (No model.)

ner and outer series ot' light steel-wire spokes, a2, the outer ends of which are secured to the rim a3 ot the wheel, said rim a? having a rubber tire, a4, secured therein.

Wheels A A are mounted on the separate and independent spindles, and are secured thereto by nuts b b. The inner ends of spindles are rigidly secured to the opposite ends of the curved or bow-shaped connecting piece or frame C, which latter may be made of wood 6o or metal, and if desired a hollow lnetal frame or a metal frame made U--shaped in cross-section may be employed.

O is a reach, the forward end of which is rigidly secured to the central portion of the vbow-shaped connecting-piece C. The rear end of the reach is curved at right angles to its length, and has the guiding-wheel D swiveled thereto, as willl hereinafter be explained.

Instead of making the curved piece G and 7o reach G' in two parts and securing them together, as described, they may be made of two pieces ot' bent wood, each extending from the spindles rearward to the guiding-wheel, and securely fastened together at different points 7 5 from their point of intersection to their rear ends.

Instead of curving the rear end of the reach laterally, as shown, it may be made straight and the guide-wheel located midway between 8o the tracks of the two large forward wheels, A A. A seat, E, is supgrted upon the three springs e c c2, the low ends or portions of .which are seated upon the reach and bowthus be perceived that the pawls are secured in place without the aid of rivets, and are free to swing outward and inward according to the position of the wheel.

, To the inner face of the ring or disk, or the inner hub-section of each wheel, is secured a me short thimble or sleeve bearing, upon which is loosely mounted the disk I, which latter is provided with an internal ratchet-gear, J, that lits over the pawl disk or ring F, the construction and arrangement of parts being such that one or more pawls G will engage with the teeth j of ratchet J when the disk I is rotated forwardly, and when the disk is rotated in the opposite direction the pawls will ride over the ratchet-teeth.

Disksl are each provided with an outwardly projecting annular bearing or ring having a flange, K', thereby forming a groove, K2, on the outer face of said disk. The flange K is provided with any desired number of holes, K3, in any one of which is secured a hook attached to the strap or cord K", the other end thereof being secured to one end of a spiral spring, L, the latter being secured at their opposite ends to hooks L' on the opposite ends of the combined rock-shaft and brace-rod L2.

Upon the peripheries of the disks l are formed grooves M, which are provided with one or more holes for the insertion of hooks attached to the ends of the straps M2, the opposite ends ot' which are secured to pins M3 on the forward ends of the treadles N N'. Straps M2 may be made of wire, ribbon-stee, chain, or other material, as desired.

N2 are footpedals, ot' any approved construction, swiveled upon the bars N2, the latter heilig furnished with a square sleeve7 11, which tits the end of the treadle and is secured in place by a set-screw.

To the inner ends of the spindles are secured the upper ends of the depending` arms O, the latter having an eye formed in its upper end, enabling it to be slipped upon the end of' the spindle and secured thereto bythe Init 0. The lower ends of the arms (J are provided 'with laterally-projectin g stops, which are located over the outer or forward ends of the treadles, and serve as stops to limit the upward throw of the treadles.

The treadles N N' are each provided on their rear ends with tubular bearings o2, which are journaled upon the opposite ends of the rod or bar I and secured in place by the nuts p. The inner ends of the hearings o2 abut against the collars p' secured to the rod l), whereby said treadles are retained against displacement. Rod or bar l is firmly braced bythe crossed braces l" P2, the lower ends of which are secured to collars p', while their upper and screw-threaded ends extend through the eyebolts or fastenings secured to the curved connecting-piece C and are adjustably secured by nuts.

Upright diverging braces Q Q' are secured at their lower ends to the collars 11', and at their upper ends to a curved metal bearing, Q2, attached to the central portion of the reach. A vertical brace, Q2, is secured at its lower end to the central portion of the rod l, and at its upper end to the metal bearing Q2. Rearwardlyinclined diverging braces Q4 Q5 are secured at their lower ends to collars p' and at their upperends to the rear portion ot' the reach. Also, braces QG Q7 are secured at their lower ends to collars q, sleeved upon the rock-shaft L2, the latter being braced by the rods q' q2, secured at their forward ends to the collars q and at their rear ends to the reach.

Rockshaft L2 is mounted in a bearing, q, attached to the under side of the reach. 'lo the rear end of the reach is fastened a sleeve, R, in which is received the spindle of the guidewheel yoke R'. The upper end of the spindle is formed square or of other angular shape, and has fitted thereto the square or angular socket o", formed on one end of the arm r2, the opposite end of which is provided with an eye, r3, in which is inserted the rear end of the guiding-rod S.

The opposite ends of the curved or bowshaped eonnecting-l'iiecc C extend in front of the spindles, as shown at s s. 'lo one of these projecting ends, s, is rigidly secured the handle arm orstandard S2, any suitable form of handle, S2, being attached to the upper end of the arm. Upon the end of the other projecting portion, s', is formed a sleeve, S4, in which is inserted the handle arm or standard S5, provided with a handle, SG, said handle arm or standard being free to revolve in said sleeve. To the standard S5 is secured a toothed wheel or pinion, T, which engages with a rack-har, T', formed on the forward end of the guiding-rod S. Rackbar T' is retained in engagement with thepinion by means ot` a sheath, T2, connected with the standard, and through which the rack-bar has endwise movement.

To the projecting end s is pivoted a brakelever, U, to which is pivoted the forward end of a connecting-rod, U', the rear end oi' which is attached to an arm, U2, rigidly secured to the rock-shaft L2.

To an arm, U2, secured to the opposite end of the rock-shaft, is secured the forward end of a flexible metal strap or chain, U, the rear end passing through a guide, u, and attached to the upright arm V of a bell crank-lever piv oted to the upper end of the yoke of the guidewheel. The other arm, V', of the bell-crank lever is formed into abrake-shoe,and is retained in its raised position clear from the tire of the guide-wheel by means of the spiral spring W.

By forcing the brakelever U forward, the rock-shaft L2 is partly rotated and the brakeshoe depressed, thus quickly arresting the movement of the vehicle. rlhe exible connection U4 allows the brake to be operated irrespective of the position of the guide-wheel.

By rotating the handle S5 the guiding-wheel is easily and quickly turned either to the right or left, thereby enabling the tricycle to be steered with little effort or power.

It will be observed that an open and unobstructed space, X, is provided between theinner ends of the spindles of the large front wheels, within which a person may enter in mounting the seat. In mounting the feet are TOO IIO

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-placed on the foot-pedals and the body raised to the'rseat, and owing 'to the fact that the weight of the rider, either in mounting or propellin g the vehicle, is disposed upon the forkedshapediframe at a point slightly in rear of the spindles, thevehicle is'prevented from tipping over forward or causing a header 7 -while the machine is inmotion. Should any serious obstruction be met with by the rider, little or no danger of any injury can resultfrom the possible upsetting of fthe machine, as the feet of the rider 'are but slight distance from the ground, and as there is nothing to' obstruct the riders exit from the front of the machine, dismounting is rendered quick, easy, and safe.

By .the employment of the ratchetLand-pawl lpropellingdevices, in the manner shown and described, the legs ofthe rider are free .to move upand down opposite'the inner faces ot' the disks, and an easy and natural motion of the limbs is resorted to in propelling the machine. The foot-pedals are depressed alternately.

I When one is being depressed, the weight -is thrown thereon and operates to propel the machine, while the weight is removed from the 'other pedal, and the spring serves to reverse the disk and raise the foot-pedal for the next` succeeding stroke.

Iam aware that it is old to actuatc a tricycle by means of' a crank-shaft located between the front wheels, and hence I would have it understood that I make no claim to such an arrangement of parts. In the event of the Vemployment of a crank-shaft between the front wheels, it is impossible to secure an unobstructed space between the front wheels,

as in my improvement, wherein the foottrea` dles are connected with the pawl-and-ratchet drive mechanism combined with the front Jfore stated, the guiding-wheel may be located" in rear-of and eqnidistant between the two large front wheels. Thebracingrods may be varied in number, shape, and location. The pawl-and-ratchet mechanism may be varied in many respects; also, different forms of steering and braking devices maybe used. Hence I would'have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact construction and arrangement ofaparts shown and described; but

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a tricycle, the combination, with two large front wheels and a small rear steeringwheel, of treadlcs and devices connected to the inner endsof the front-wheel hubs and adapted `substantially as set forth.

2. In` a tricycle, the combination, with two yfront wheels mounted on separate spindles attached to the opposite ends of a connectingfpiece extending rearwardlyof said spindles, of

devices connected to the front-wheel hubs and footftreadlesfor propellin gthe tricycles through the medium of said devices, the parts beingconstructed andarran ged to form an open and unobstructed space between the foot-pedals and front-wheel spindles, substantially as set forth.

3. In a tricycle, the combination, with the two front wheels and a seat located in rear of the front-wheel spindles, ot'foot-pedals located in front of the spindles and devices connected therewith and adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the inner ends ot the frontwheel hubs and revolve the wheels, the several parts being arranged, substantially as shown and described, to i'orm an unobstructed space between the foot-pedals and the frontwhee1 spindles, substantially as set forth.

4. ln a tricycle, the combination of the two front wheels and a seatsupporting frame having the frontwheel spindles attached there to, said supporting-frame at its forward end being arranged practically in the same horizontal plane as the front-wheel spindles, and formed to insure an unobstructed space between said spindles, and foot-pedals located below and in front of said spindles, substantially as set forth.

5. In a tricycle, the combination, with two large front wheels mounted on independent spindles and a. rearwardlycurved connectingpiece having the front-wheel spindle secured to its opposite ends, of foottreadle levers pivoted in rear of the front-wheel spindles, and provided with foot-pedals located below and in front of said spindles, pawl-and-ratchet propelling devices connected with the inner ends of the front-wheel hubs, and flexible straps connecting the foot-treadlesvand pawl-and-ratchet propelling devices, substantially as set forth.

6. In a tricycle, the combination,with the two large front wheels mounted on separate spindlesrigidly secured to the opposite ends of a rearwardly-curved connectin g-piece, of loosel ymounted disks located between the ends of the curved connecting-piece and wheels, pawland-ratchet mechanism for locking the disks to the wheel when the disks are rotated in one direction, and springs for rotating the disks in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

7. In a tricycle, the combination, with two front wheels and a rear steering-wheel, of pawl-and-ratchet drive mechanism connected with the inner ends of the hubs of the front wheels, and foot-pedals located below and in front of the front-wheel spindles and projecting`inwardly therefrom, the parts being ar'1 IOS IIS n ran ged to form an unobstructed space between the foot-treadles and spindles, substantially as set forth.

8. In a tricycle, the combination, with two large front wheels, a small rear steeringrwhcel, a brked-shaped frame connecting said wheels, and a seat mounted on the connecting-frame and located between the tront wheels, of pawland-ratchetdriving mechanism connected with the inner ends of the hubs ot' the front wheels, and separate and independent footpedals located below and in front ot' the front-wheel spindles, the parts being constructed to form an open unobstructed space in front of the seat and between the {bot-pedals, substantially ns set forth.

9. In a tricycle, the combination, with the two large front wheels and rearwardly-curved connecting-piece, having' its opposite ends secured to the troni-wheel spindles, ot' depending arms provided with stops to limit the npward movement of the treadles, substantially.' as set forth.

10. In atricycle, the combination, with two large front wheels, small rear steeringwheel, and forked shaped frame connecting; said wheels, of ratchet-and-pawl drire mechanism connected to the inner ends of the frontwheel hubs, and treadles pivoted to the opposite ends ot' a bar or rod suspended from the reach portion ot the frame, substantially as set forth.

11. In a tricycle,the combination, with disks located between the t'rontwbeels and opposite ends ofthe curved connecting-frame, ot' a crossbar connected to the reach and springs, and tlexible straps connecting said disks and opposite ends otl the cross bar, substantially as set forth.

12. In a trieycle, the combination, with the, steering-wheel, having an arm secured to its spindle, of a rotating handle-shaft7 provided with a pinion, and aconnectingrod, having a rack-bar on its forward end, substantially as set forth.

13. In a tricyele, the combination, with the two large front wheels, of a rearwardly-eurved connecting-piece, having the front-wheel spindles secured thereto, the ends ot' said connecting-piece extending" in t'ront of the spin dles, and haring handles connected thereto, substantially as set t'ort-h.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 2d dayof April, 1881 JAMES A. MQKENZIF.

Witnesses:

WILLiAM J. MARTIN, ALBERT H. OVERMAN. 

